Portland is winless in its last five matches and has yet to claim a win away
from home in 15 away contests this season.

However, a win at CenturyLink Field against Seattle on Sunday would clinch the
Cascadia Cup for the Timbers and give the players and fans something to take
into the offseason.

"It's a chance for us to take that Cascadia Cup and get something out of the
season," Dike said of Sunday's game. "And any time you have a chance to beat
the Seattle Sounders and take a cup away from them and give it to our fans
it's a great opportunity. And it would be a great positive for our team."

"We haven't had the best season, but it would be something positive to take
toward the next season. And that's what we're looking for, is to keep building
on each performance."

For Seattle, the match is more than just another Cascadia clash, it also has
playoff implications for the Sounders.

Seattle sits in fourth place entering the weekend, but is only one point back
of Los Angeles and three behind Real Salt Lake with a game in hand on each
side.

Those teams will play Saturday, so Seattle will have the chance to move closer
to securing a top three place and avoid having to play a one-game wild card
playoff.

The Sounders are winless in their last three home games, but the team will
need to be plenty focused down the stretch because after facing Cascadia
rivals Portland, the club will face three potential playoff teams in Real Salt
Lake, FC Dallas and Los Angeles.

That string of matches to end the season is something that coach Sigi Schmid
feels is important, because it will give his side a chance to get a good
rhythm going before the postseason.

"It certainly helps us and keeps us in a rhythm of playing important games, so
we can't relax and have an easy game," Schmid said of his team's final four
games. "Every game is going to be a game that's going to require concentration
and attention from the team, which is good because it keeps you sharp going
into the playoffs. Playing those teams is good, it's a good measuring stick
for them and for us, and there's still a lot at stake in terms of seeding and
where you end up."